Jordanian Prime Minister Abdullah Nsur on Monday urged Egypt's military to remain "firm" despite condemnation of a crackdown on Islamist protesters, saying the fate of the country was at stake.

"Jordan's position towards what is happening in Egypt seeks to support the state. The Egyptian state must not melt or erode or turn into a failed country," Nsur told a news conference. "If the Egyptian army goes, Egypt goes. The army must remain firm and strong." On Friday, Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh said Jordan backed Egypt's efforts "to combat terrorism and attempts to meddle in its affairs." (AFP)